MSUB Women's Golf 9/15/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, September 15, 2015 ‘Jackets storm to 3rd-place finish at RMAC #1 tourney

Rebounding from a tough opening round, the MSUB women’s golf team shaves 20 strokes off of its score to finish in third place at the RMAC #1 tournament.

LONGMONT, Colo. – Finishing strong with the third-best individual team round in the tournament, the Montana State University Billings women’s golf team fired a 314 on Tuesday to jump up the leaderboard to third place at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference #1 tournament at Fox Hills Golf Club.

The Yellowjackets completed the two-round event with a team score of 648 (334-314), fending off fourth-place University of Colorado Colorado Springs by three strokes.

“I’m very proud of the women as they fought back, jumping six spots into third place,” commented MSUB head coach Shawn O’Brien. “A 314 is a great team score and I will be proud any time we can shoot that. I thought we got off to a great start, and kept the momentum for the majority of the round.”

MSUB’s top finisher at the event was freshman Anna DeMars, who competed unattached as an individual. DeMars shaved six strokes off of her first round score of 81, notching a 75 on Day 2 for a total score of 156 which tied her for third place at the event.

“I’m extremely proud of the way Anna played the past two days finishing third,” said O’Brien. “She came in as a true freshman, stepped up and produced. That allows me to gain vital confidence in her. I am excited to see her play in Phoenix next week, as she has earned the opportunity to play within our top five.”

Freshman Kortney McNeil led the way for MSUB’s top-five, as she tied for eighth place with a two-round total of 158 (79-79). McNeil carded four birdies at the event and was one of two top-10 finishers for the ‘Jackets.

Checking in tied for 10th place was Bailee Dexter, who had four birdies en route to a 159 (81-78). Dexter saved three strokes on her Round 2 total, as she was just six strokes off of the par pace.

Sophomore Sammy Walter showed the most drastic improvement between rounds, finishing with a team-best 76 on Day 2 after a first-round total of 89. The highlight of her day came when she curled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th hole. Overall Walter tied for 18th place with a 165.

Junior Haley Shackelford wound up in a tie for 34th place, shooting a 173 (89-81) on the tournament. Her lone birdie came on the 18th hole on Day 2, as she chipped in from off the green to save a stroke.

Rounding out the field for MSUB was freshman Shealyn Hafer, who finished her first collegiate tournament tied for 45th with a 173 (85-88).

Winning the team title was Colorado Mesa University, which shot a two-round total of 627 (316-311). Metro State University was the only other team between CMU and MSUB, as the Roadrunners finished second with a 635 (322-313).

Allie Johnston of MSUD won medalist honors with an 8-over par 152 (78-74), while CMU’s Sara Swaney was three strokes behind in second place with a 155 (80-75).

AHEAD: The Yellowjackets are in action early next week, competing at the Western New Mexico University Invitational at Coldwater Golf Club in Goodyear, Ariz., from Sept. 21-22.

“I’m excited for phoenix,” O’Brien said. “If we get off to a better start, we are going to put together something special.”

RMAC #1 Tournament – Fox Hills Golf Club – Longmont, CO Results Team – 1. Colorado Mesa University, 627 (316-311); 3. Montana State University Billings, 648 (334-314). Individual – 1.

Allie Johnston, MSUD, 152 (78-74); T3. Anna DeMars, MSUB (IND), 156 (81-75); T8. Kortney McNeil, MSUB, 158 (79-79); T10. Bailee Dexter, MSUB, 159 (81-78); T18. Sammy Walter, MSUB, 165 (89-76); T34. Haley Shackelford, MSUB, 170 (8981); T45. Shealyn Hafer, MSUB, 173 (85-88).

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